We believe that no one knows a person better than that person knows themselves. Therefore, it is up to the young women to face the challenges on program themselves, and work out how best to deal with them. Staff are there to support, but the experts are the young women.

Often other people who have been where you have been, are those you can learn most from. To be amongst people who have lived some similar experiences, and who can share these and understand others’ experiences, creates a community where everyone belongs and contributes to each other. To be away from everything gives perspective on life. The bush is a great place for that! A simple life, and other people who have been there, provide space to live the ‘real you’.

To download an information brochure of the Young Women's Program, click here.

To download a brochure of stories from girls who have started their journey with the Young Women's Program, click here.

Application Process

Once all application forms have been received, the Intake Team will assess each application and schedule a meeting time for those most suitable for our program. Meetings are conducted with the young woman and her parent/s or guardian, and other supporters (for example, a teacher, school counselor, psychologist, youth worker, police liaison). The meetings are intended to ensure that everyone is as informed as possible about the program, to allow all parties to consider how the program might fit the youbng woman. After the meetings, applicants who are deemed to be suitable for that particular intake will be invited to take part in the first stage of the Young Women's Program.

What role do I play in the program?
 
One of the most valuable ways that you can support your young woman is by recognising the efforts that she is making in coming on the program. This decision to be a part of it is rarely an easy one to make! You can best support your young woman by also committing to work on your relationship.

Weekend Visit - The young women will return home once during the initial three-week residential to try out her new skills in her usual environment. Aside from arranging to collect your girl from one of our properties, she will reallly need and value your support on this visits back home.

Celebration Day - The final day of the three-week program is your girl’s chance to show off ‘her’ Woodstock or Typo Station – friends, family, teachers and other important people in her life are welcomed to the Station to celebrate her amazing achievements. Supporters first meet with our Youth Worker Team off-property where our staff discuss the previous three weeks and what parents are likely to see in the short term following the program. After this meeting, the group drives a short distance to the property, where the girls welcome them and conduct a tour.

It is very important for you - as a parent, a teacher, a youth worker, police officer or other supporter - to take part in this day. Marking positive milestones is very important in the Young Women's Program and your being there for this substantial one will mean a lot to your lass, whether she shows it on the outside or not...

Parent's Dinner - In the weeks following the residential experience, Evolve hosts a dinner for parents and guardians. The dinner involves a sharing of stories about the residential experience by our Youth Workers and gives parents a chance to build support networks with families in similar circumstances to themselves. Evolve believes it is very important for families with young women experiencing difficulties to feel well supported and that they are not alone.

What are the criteria?

She must live in Victoria

The Young Men's Program is currently only delivered in Victoria however plans to offer this program in Queensland in late 2011 are underway.

The follow up support is very significant in the young woman’s transition from Typo Station; accessibility is key to that support. Evolve is unable to provide adequate support to young women  living outside of Victoria.

She must be aged at least 14 and under 18 at the commencement of the program
This age group ensures that the potential age difference between our oldest and youngest participant is not so great that it creates difficulties in team interaction, communication and program delivery.

She must be currently or recently connected to an education or employment environment
Our program is structured to succeed only with the cooperation of schools or employers – if young women are not connected to one of these environments, our program has less chance of producing the long term impacts the young women require.

She must be residing in or have access to long-term, stable accommodation
See above notes on education and employment.

Any criminal offences must be of a minor and non-violent nature

Young women with an intellectual disability or mental health concern will be assessed for suitability on a case-by-case basis.

She cannot be pregnant.

If she is a young mother, her child must not be dependent on her - it is not possible to bring a child on the residential and hike components of the program

She must not have any serious or ongoing substance abuse issues
We do not have the facilities or resources to attend to issues associated with dependency and withdrawal. There are a number of programs available for young women suffering addiction and relevant issues; please visit the ‘’If We Can't Help, You Might Like to Try...’’ page for more details.

She must weigh at least 36kg
While this one may seem a little unusual, this lower weight limit is to ensure that young women in the program are physically capable of participating in the nine-day hike, during which they are required to carry considerable packs of equipment.

She needs to have a physical ability that will allow him to safely participate in an active program, or a willingness to work towards this prior to beginning the intake
The program is physically demanding, and although it is not a necessity to be remarkably fit, a level of fitness is important to safely participate in the program.

How much does it cost?
 
For each young woman commencing the program, Evolve request a contribution of $900 to help cover the costs incurred across the two years of the program. Evolve can establish payment plans and scholarships may be available – please contact our administrative team to discuss your options.